What to Do After a Car Accident in Michigan: Step-by-Step Checklist

At the Scene

1. 1
   Stop and get safe.

   Stop as close to the crash as you safely can and turn on your hazards. If no one is hurt and your car can be driven, take a few quick photos showing where the vehicles ended up, then move to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. On a busy road like M-5, I-96, or M-59, staying in a live lane is the most dangerous thing you can do.
2. 2
   Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.

   Check yourself, your passengers, and the other driver. Don't move someone with neck or back pain unless they're in immediate danger.
3. 3
   Call the police.

   Michigan law (MCL 257.622) requires you to report a crash right away if anyone is injured or killed, or if the damage appears to total $1,000 or more. A cracked bumper cover and a headlight can pass that number, so call. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave.
4. 4
   Exchange information.

   Under MCL 257.619, drivers must share their name and address and the vehicle's registration number, and show their driver's license. Also get the other driver's insurance company and policy number, phone number, plate number, and the vehicle's make, model, and color. A photo of their license, registration, and insurance card is fastest.
5. 5
   Photograph everything.

   • Every vehicle from all four corners, plus close-ups of each damaged area
   • The other car's license plate
   • The road: skid marks, debris, traffic signs, signals, and lane markings
   • Weather and lighting conditions
   • Any injuries
6. 6
   Get witness contacts.

   Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash. Witnesses leave quickly, and an independent account matters when drivers disagree about fault.
7. 7
   Stick to the facts.

   Don't apologize, guess, or argue about fault with the other driver. Tell the police what you saw. Fault is decided later, and it affects your deductible and any mini-tort claim.

After You Leave the Scene

1. 8
   Decide where your car goes.

   If the car can't be driven, you choose where it's towed unless police need it moved immediately for safety. Tell the tow operator the name and address of your body shop. Cars towed to a storage lot pile up daily fees and need a second tow. We coordinate accident towing straight to our shop.
2. 9
   Report the claim to your insurer.

   Call as soon as you reasonably can. Have the police report number, the other driver's information, and your photos ready. For injury (PIP) benefits, Michigan requires written notice within one year (MCL 500.3145), but don't wait. Not sure which part of your policy pays? See who pays for car damage under Michigan no-fault.
3. 10
   Get checked by a doctor.

   Even if you feel fine. Some injuries show up a day or two later, and an early visit links them to the crash for your PIP claim.
4. 11
   Choose your own body shop.

   Your insurer may suggest a "preferred" shop, but Michigan law says it can't unreasonably restrict your choice. Tell the adjuster which shop you've picked. See your right to choose a body shop.
5. 12
   Keep every receipt.

   Save the estimate, final invoice, deductible receipt, towing bill, and rental costs. If the other driver caused the crash, you can recover up to $3,000 of uncovered vehicle damage with a Michigan mini-tort claim.

Common Mistakes That Cost Michigan Drivers Money

• Skipping the police report on a "small" crash. Without it, proving fault for a mini-tort claim or a collision deductible waiver gets much harder.
• Letting the car go to a storage lot. Daily storage fees add up fast, and some aren't fully covered.
• Accepting the first shop the insurer suggests without knowing you have a choice.
• Driving a car that isn't safe. Leaking fluids, warning lights, a loose bumper, or a wheel that sits at an angle all mean tow it.
• Throwing away the paperwork. The final invoice is what gets your deductible back.

Hit a deer instead of another car? The steps are a little different. See what to do if you hit a deer in Michigan.

Where Commerce Collision Fits In

Call us from the scene or the next morning. We coordinate towing, inspect and document the damage, write the estimate, and work directly with your adjuster, including supplements when teardown finds hidden damage. We help you arrange a rental and give you a realistic timeline up front. You can also start with a free online photo estimate.

Repairs are overseen by Sam Behnam, a Michigan State Certified Master Auto Mechanic (#1304862). We're a registered Michigan Motor Vehicle Repair Facility (F173359) in Commerce Township, serving Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, Wixom, and White Lake, and we're open Saturdays.

Frequently Asked Questions